water filter

[canue]

I am going to get a new water filter for backpacking. I have a mini Kaydin (spelling) and it is very slow, the id of the hose is about 1/8". I would like a resonable flow rate and light weight. Let me know what other forum members have had good luck with...
Thanks
Scott

[Kevin]

Hi Scott,

We have a gear section here:

http://adkforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=19

This topic has been covered lots of times and you can likely find threads on the subject just browsing in that section. You can also do a search on the forums for "water filter" with greater success.

http://adkforum.com/search.php

In other words, this really isn't the right section of the forum to post this question .

[Dick]

Moved thread to "Gear, Food, and Survival Topics" section.

Dick

[redhawk]

I am going to get a new water filter for backpacking. I have a mini Kaydin (spelling) and it is very slow, the id of the hose is about 1/8". I would like a resonable flow rate and light weight. Let me know what other forum members have had good luck with...
Thanks
Scott

Steripen

[jan]

I recently purchased a Steripen to take on a 2 week Sierra backpack. I was sold by the light weight and ease of use. Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to give it a thorough test before the trip and was very disappointed. The first set of batteries lasted less then a dozen liters. After that I took the batteries out every night and slept with them to keep them warm. Didn't help. The Steripen performance was very erratic. Sometimes it was fine, sometimes it would signal unable to complete treatment because of low battery. It would even do this with brand new batteries. I ended up using my emergency backup tablets which was a real drag, since they take a long time to treat the water. When I got home I called Steripen to say I think this is defective and they said to me (no lie) "were you using it with stream water?" I said yes, I bought the Adventurer because I intended to use it while backpacking. They said "try using it with tap water." I said, OK tell me where in the middle of the Sierras I can find tap water. They then said to put salt in the water or spit in it. Say what!!! Are you kidding me? Anyway, they said send it back and they'll reset the sensors for stream water. I got believe this fool was just yanking my chain and didn't have a clue what he's talking about. I sent it back with a note explaining the whole ordeal so it will be interesting to see what happens. When it worked it was great, unfortunately, it was too erratic to rely on.

[m0pp3ry]

i bought the Katadyn vario. i like it. i bought it without finding much about it other than online reviews. but its a nice one. it can do up to 2 liters a min on the fast flow method and 1 liter in filter save mode. the pre filter is ceramic and can be cleaned. with that part of the filter active it does the 1 liter a min. you can bypass the prefilter which will do the 2 liters a min. and in the main filter is active carbon for taste. it works quite well. better than i thought it would. thanks for reading

[redhawk]

I recently purchased a Steripen to take on a 2 week Sierra backpack. I was sold by the light weight and ease of use. Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to give it a thorough test before the trip and was very disappointed. The first set of batteries lasted less then a dozen liters. After that I took the batteries out every night and slept with them to keep them warm. Didn't help. The Steripen performance was very erratic. Sometimes it was fine, sometimes it would signal unable to complete treatment because of low battery. It would even do this with brand new batteries. I ended up using my emergency backup tablets which was a real drag, since they take a long time to treat the water. When I got home I called Steripen to say I think this is defective and they said to me (no lie) "were you using it with stream water?" I said yes, I bought the Adventurer because I intended to use it while backpacking. They said "try using it with tap water." I said, OK tell me where in the middle of the Sierras I can find tap water. They then said to put salt in the water or spit in it. Say what!!! Are you kidding me? Anyway, they said send it back and they'll reset the sensors for stream water. I got believe this fool was just yanking my chain and didn't have a clue what he's talking about. I sent it back with a note explaining the whole ordeal so it will be interesting to see what happens. When it worked it was great, unfortunately, it was too erratic to rely on.

I've used mine (Adventurer) for about 60 liters so far with absolutely no problem. Origianal batteries are still going strong.\


I'm wondering if you were making the same mistake i did at first. I would do a liter of water fine, then try to do a second and it wouldn't work, flashing red. I finally figured that when doing more then one bottle, the sensors needed to be dried before putting the pen in the second bottle.. After that everything has gone smoothly.

[Buckethead]

For simple, no fuss operation I use the Katadyn Hiker (Used to be PUR).

Its not fast, but is very reliable. Ive been using mine for over a decade!

[jan]

Redhawk,
I had heard about the problem you're referring to and did dry the sensors when trying to do more than one bottle. The problem would sometimes be during the 2nd bottle, sometimes the 1st. It would work for a couple then screw up again. I really think I just had a defective unit. I mailed it back to Steripen yesterday, so I'm just waiting to see what they come up with. I think the whole line about resetting the sensors for stream water is a line of BS. In fact, the entire conversation didn't make any sense to me. I told them in the note I sent with the unit that when they return it to please explain exactly what the problem was and what they did to correct it. I'm not sure I trust it or them right about now.

[redhawk]

Redhawk,
I had heard about the problem you're referring to and did dry the sensors when trying to do more than one bottle. The problem would sometimes be during the 2nd bottle, sometimes the 1st. It would work for a couple then screw up again. I really think I just had a defective unit. I mailed it back to Steripen yesterday, so I'm just waiting to see what they come up with. I think the whole line about resetting the sensors for stream water is a line of BS. In fact, the entire conversation didn't make any sense to me. I told them in the note I sent with the unit that when they return it to please explain exactly what the problem was and what they did to correct it. I'm not sure I trust it or them right about now.

Sounds like their Customer Service or tech people are not the brightest bulbs in the building. It's unfortunate because I think it's a good product.

And yes, you can get a defective unit, that's true with any product. That's when customer service can make the difference.

I kniow that the first generation of steripens had a problem with eating the alkaline batteries, but that has been addressed. With the evolution of the Explorer and other models and the use of the lithium-ion batteries the problem pretty much went away.

The whole thing about tap water, stream water sounds bogus to me, but who knows? They sell a lot of these units to people who travel into countries with questionable drinking water, but if that were the case then there should be a place to specify which use you are making of it when you order one.

Anyway, to date I'm satisfied and confident with mine. I hope your replacement unit works as well as mine does.

Hawk

[Bill I.]

I am going to get a new water filter for backpacking. I have a mini Kaydin (spelling) and it is very slow, the id of the hose is about 1/8". I would like a resonable flow rate and light weight. Let me know what other forum members have had good luck with...
Thanks
Scott

I use a Katadyn Guide and have had few problems with it. It pumps fast and has a good capacity.

[Buster Bear]

My main water filter is a MSR Sweetwater. Been using it for 3 seasons now and still on the original cartridge. I always use a prefilter I made out of a 1 micron polyester bag filter element (like a big sock) to minimize clogging. I clean the cartridge with a mild brush after each outing and test it before I go on the next one.

Cheers!

[Kevin]

Katadyn Hiker. For years, still going strong. Did finally need to be lubricated the pump mechanism 2 years ago after 2-3 years of heavy use.

[WinterWarlock]

Katadyn Hiker. For years, still going strong. Did finally need to be lubricated the pump mechanism 2 years ago after 2-3 years of heavy use.

Hiker Pro here - not sure of the difference between the Pro and standard models any more, but I have no problems with mine. Pumps right into my bladder...ah, right into my hydration reservoir I meant to say.

[Dick]

I use the hiker as well. Hiker Description with links to specs are here.

Hiker Pro description with links to specs are here.

Dick